Graves played college football at Missouri from 1906 to 1908, and after his eligiblity was used up in the Midwest, at Idaho in 1909. He coached at Alabama, Texas A&M, and what is now Montana State. From 1911 to 1914, he led the Alabama program to a 21–12–3 record. In 1918, he coached at Texas A&M, where he compiled a 6–1 record. From 1920 to 1921, he was at Montana State, where he compiled a 5–5–1 record. While head coach of the baseball team at Washington, Graves also served as an assistant coach in football.